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Review: Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

(A huge thanks to Pan Macmillan India for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.)

In a continent on the edge of war, two witches hold its fate in their hands.

Young witches Safiya and Iseult have a habit of finding trouble. After clashing with a powerful Guildmaster and his ruthless Bloodwitch bodyguard, the friends are forced to flee their home.

Safi must avoid capture at all costs as she's a rare Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lies. Many would kill for her magic, so Safi must keep it hidden - lest she be used in the struggle between empires. And Iseult's true powers are hidden even from herself.

In a chance encounter at Court, Safi meets Prince Merik and makes him a reluctant ally. However, his help may not slow down the Bloodwitch now hot on the girls' heels. All Safi and Iseult want is their freedom, but danger lies ahead. With war coming, treaties breaking and a magical contagion sweeping the land, the friends will have to fight emperors and mercenaries alike. For some will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

“It was the circle of perfect motion. Of the light-bringer and dark-giver, the world-starter and shadow-ender. Of initiation and completion.”

I loved Safi and Iseult which is weird 'cause when I think about it now, Safi seems so cliche? But I can't deny I loved her! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her and how freaking badass she is. I loved Isuelt too and I found her thought to be more interesting that Safi. Her problems with controlling her emotions and her worries that people might see how different she is all made for some interesting thoughts in her head.

Also, so happy about the racially diverse world and characters.

And onto my favorite character! MERIK! Okay girls, I have a new book boyfriend *cue applause* I loved how three dimensional he is and how he's not like, PERFECT. He makes mistakes, wrong assumptions, has a dragon's temper but can yet be a wonderful, loyal and understanding friend. He's also a Prince who wants to do good for his country with his own family against him.

The romance between Safia and Merik *insert heart eyes here* I loved their chemistry and there were some scenes with the two of them that I adored! The dance scene with the two of them sealed the deal for me!

The Bloodwitch. I'm the MOST curious about him and honestly so freaking excited that the third book is about him!!! Aeduan can track people by the scent of their blood and he works as a mercenary. there was just this crazy mysterious aura about him that's makes me want to know more about him!

Okay so I was crazy confused at the beginning! Nothing made sense and I was like OKAY WUT ARE YOU BLABBERING ABOUT GIRLS? I DO NOT UNDERSTAND. But yet I couldn't help but be drawn into the world. I kinda blame my curiosity here. I always thought i'd like the world laid out clearly in front of me but when I was reading Truthwitch I realized I enjoyed getting to know things little by little too. It was like I was plunked in the middle of this world without knowing a thing about it and I rather enjoyed navigating my way around.

BUT I wasn't completely happy? Like I was totally fine with the getting to know little by little but I expected to know most of it by the end of the book. And that my friends did not happen. I still have so many questions about the world! So many whens, hows and whys. But I do believe we'll be getting answers to it all in the sequel.

Also I recently had a post on Instagram where I said some authors use tropes and yet they make it awesome! Susan Dennard is one such author. There were cliches in the story but I have NO complaints. I actually quite enjoyed it all!

Also I want the sequel so bad 'cause of that ending! LIKE WHY??? That was quite a cruel ending Queen Dennard ( Oh yeah she's Queen. No one gave you the memo?)

Susan Dennard knows how to do imagery. LIKE A QUEEN. I swear at most scenes I was literally in the book. It's also awesome that the book is filled with 80% fight scenes! There I was inside the book kicking ass with Safi and Iseult, dancing with Merik (I read the scene 4 times people. FOUR TIMES. This scene made my heart beat crazily ever single time.)

- The characters

- The romance

- MERIK (Don't you dare tell me he's included in the characters so why he need his own point! He's my baby that's why)

- The writing

- The fighting

- All the sea travel

- The really confusing parts

- The ending (It was unkind to me.)

I loved it you people. I was worried 'cause of all the mixed reviews but I loved it. I can't wait to read Windwitch. I mean I need the book like yesterday.